BEARS BITS

Lions receiver roars: We will win this game

September 12, 2006|BY JOHN MULLIN

It may not necessarily affect betting lines, but Detroit wide receiver Roy Williams entered the guarantee business Monday, declaring that the winner of Sunday's Lions game with the Bears has been determined. By him, at least.

"We will win this game," Williams told Detroit reporters. "Y'all can take that as a guarantee or what not, but we will win this game. You can take that as a guarantee if you want.

"I'm saying when we play the way we are supposed to play, and there's no reason we shouldn't, there's no defense in the league that can stop us. We are our only `defense.'"

Members of the Bears defense likely will take issue with Williams' declaration. In fact, they feel pretty much the same about themselves. "We can only beat ourselves," defensive tackle Tommie Harris said. "Nobody else can."

The Lions managed just two field goals in their last-play, 9-6 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

"It was stupid how close we were to putting 40 points on the board," Williams said.

Clarifying

Bears coach Lovie Smith is a close friend of Detroit coach Rod Marinelli and was on the St. Louis Rams staff of Mike Martz, now the Lions' offensive coordinator.

So will it be difficult coaching against friends?

"Not at all," Smith said, and then he smiled. "You're talking Rod Marinelli, coach of the Detroit Lions, right? And Mike Martz, offensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions? That's how we know each other this week."

Sick bay

Safety Chris Harris and Tommie Harris suffered ankle injuries against Green Bay, but both are expected to play against Detroit. Less certain is the status of linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer, who was forced out with a mild concussion.